Boi cat is sick again, this time not as bad, but frustrating.

[RobLynn]

Being the intuitive one I am, I took those samples to the vet. He said they were too "dry" to view under the scope. I've taken chemistry in highschool, and I know all about using saline between a magnifying glass slide.

Anyway, I brought the cat in (which I hate doing, Boi cat has been WAY too traumatized lately, and I fear he'll nuke out while I'm taking him to the vet). We took a sample from his ear, and viewed it under the scope. I said that "I" wanted to view it also. There was a VERY small amount of yeast, and some bacteria.

He is on clavamox, orally, 3x daily for 2 weeks. Beta gen otic drops, 5 drops 2x daily. miconazole nitrate solution, 2x daily in the ear. Animax, small amount rubbed onto the ear, 2x daily. clean the ears daily. E-collar on for 1-2 weeks.

He tries to give me some BS about using Q-tips to clean the ear, until I explained to him, I use cotton balls first, and I secure the cat in my lap. I explained, I don't go "digging". I use an otoscope, view where the cotton ball didn't get, and use the Q-tips to get that out.

He commented on how clean the cats ear was, and said that the reason it was infected was because the cat kept digging at it. Which, I don't understand, because he'd have to want to dig at it in the first damn place.

It was on my mind all day to call another vet and see what they say, but for whatever reason, I didn't. Tomorrow first thing, I'll call. The ear does look a tad clearer after starting the anti-biotic.

[RobLynn]

I just realized, in my fridge, I've got terasaderm. I'm starting him on it tonight. As stated before, there's little harm that can be done with it.

[Catlady711]

There was a VERY small amount of yeast, and some bacteria.

Have you ever tried Zymox? It's a liquid that you squirt in the ear once a day that has enzymes that keep yeast and bacteria from being able to grow. You have to get it from the vet though. We've had very good success with that one. There is also a companion ear cleaner that you can use with it if necessary.

He commented on how clean the cats ear was, and said that the reason it was infected was because the cat kept digging at it. Which, I don't understand, because he'd have to want to dig at it in the first damn place.

If you cleaned out the ears prior to the appointment that can cause some problems. We sometimes have clients that have done this and makes it difficult to diagnose if we can't see the 'gunk' in the ear.

It was on my mind all day to call another vet and see what they say, but for whatever reason, I didn't. Tomorrow first thing, I'll call.

If it were me I'd def. call another vet for a second opinion, ear problems are troublesome and seems like this vet just isn't helping out much in this area. When you go to the second vet, don't clean out the ears a day or two prior to the appointment.

I just realized, in my fridge, I've got terasaderm. I'm starting him on it tonight. As stated before, there's little harm that can be done with it.

Have you used that before without problems with this cat? Did your vet say ok to use it for this? Sometimes Tresaderm can sting when you put it in, and sometimes can cause irritation in the ear because of the Neomycin in it. I don't know for sure if it interacts with any of the meds you are using now.

[RobLynn]

I've used the teresaderm on the same cat before, back in the day when he had mites. Ironically enough, the vet gave it to me for my other cat, when she had an ear infection. It was kind of the mindset, we don't see mites, so treat them just incase.

When I cleaned the ear, I didn't know I would be getting into the vet that night. I did however have all of the gunk I got out of his ear in a plastic bag.

He doesn't like any of the crap that's going into his ear, and it's not the terasaderm that's causing the most trouble, it's the miconazole nitrate. That does a great job of pissing him off. He did however get a treat tonight. He had some chicken. I don't like that clavamox on an empty stomach for him, so I usually give him a treat before med time.